Electric shot-firing device.



E. SCHIETZEL. ELECTRIC SHOT EIRING DEVICE.

' APPLICATION FILED A (i. 3.1 A 1,191,620. u m PatentedJu1y-18,1916.

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l/V VEN TOR ENC/7 50/7/6/26/ E. SCHIETZEL.

ELECTRIC SHOT FIRING DEVICE.

/V VEN TUI? Ef/Gh 50/7/'6/26/ Patented J u1y 18, 1916.

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APPLICATION FILED AUG. I3. 1914.

' A omvEy ERICH SCI-IIETZEL, OF ARMA, KANSAS.

ELECTRIC SHOT-FIRING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 18, 1916.

Application led August 13, 1914. Serial No. 856,583.

To all whom/7125 may concern Be it known that I, Enron SoHiETZnL, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Arma, in the county of Coffey and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Shot- Firing Devices; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this speciication.

My invention relates to an electric shot iiring device, and has for its principal object to provide a device of this character' for successively igniting blasts from a distant point.

It is customary in mine blasting for the miners to prepare their blasts near the close of the day7 so that the blasts may be iired after every one has been brought to the surface, thereby preventing the loss of time that would be occasioned should it be necessary for the miners to be brought to the surface to permit blasting during working hours, and it is to avoid this loss as well as to provide a device which may be adapted for use in blasting in other branches of industry that the present structure has been devised.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein the preferred form of my improvement is illustrated Figure I is a perspective view of a shot firing device constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. II is a wiring diagram showing two firing devices; both the devices being enlarged and one in vertical section, with the parts set ready to ignite a blast. Fig. III is a rear elevation of one of the iiring devices. Fig. IV is a side view of the same. Fig. V is a vertical section on the line V-V, Fig. III. Fig. VI is a perspective view of the switching device, removed from the casing.

Referring more in detail to the parts: 1 designates a casing which is preferably composed of metal and 'comprises acylindrical shell 2 and a tubular member 3 that opens into and extends at right angles to the axis of the cylindrical shell 2. Itigidly mounted in the cylindrical easing 2 is a block 4 of insulating material and rigidly mounted on said block are metal platesl 5,

6 and 7 provided with binding posts S, 9 and 10, respectively.

Mounted on the plate 6 is a vertical sleeve 11 in which is slidably mounted a plunger 12 having an enlarged flat collar 13 and an end tip 14; the collar being normally yieldingly held in elevated position and in contact with an angle piece 1G on the plate 5,

by means of a coil spring 17 that is located in the sleeve 11 and bears against the plunger 12.

The plate 7 is provided with an angle piece 1S similar to the piece 1G, but spaced slightly from the lower face of the collar 13 for the purpose presently described.

Rigidly secured within the tubular member 3, by screws 20, is an electro-magnet 21, which is sealed within said member by a layer of wax 22 and a cover member 23.

Slidably mounted in the lower end of said tubular member 3 is an armature 25 comprising a shank 26 that is slidably mounted in the magnet winding, a head 27 having a groove 2S at one side adapted for guided travel over a gib-screw 29, and a tip 30, which cooperates with the tip 14 of the plunger 12; the said armature being adapted for attraction by the magnet 21 or gravitational movement toward the tip 14 in order to move the collar 13 against the angle piece 18 and complete a circuit between the binding posts 9 and 10.

Revolubly mounted in the rear of casing 2, is a shaft 32, which carries a latch lever 33 having a notch 34 adapted to engage the stop 35 on the base of the armature 25, the opposite ond of the shaft projecting to the exterior of the casing and having a weighted handle 3G, whereby the latch 33 is automatically disengaged from the armature when the latter is attracted by the magnet.

Inclosed within the casing 2v and protected by a cover 37 are wires which constitute a permanent part of the device and comprise the wire 38, which passes diametrically through the casing and is provided with an off-lead 39 to the magnet 21; the opposite terminal of the magnet being connected to the binding post 8 by the wire 40. The binding post S is also provided with a wire 41 which leads to the exterior of the casing, and the binding posts 9 and 10 have wires 42 and 43 respectively which also project through the casing 2.

In order to support the device, I provide a bracket 44 which surrounds the tubular member 3 and has laterally turned, apertured flanges for attachment to a wall or other suitable support.

Mines at the present time, are usually wired for electric lights, the line wires 47 et which are illustrated diagrannnatically in Fig. II, and in installing my apparatus I prefer to use one oi these line wires merely as a conductor, because it is already in place and runs to all parts ot" the mine.

Referring to the wiring diagram II), one end ol the wire 25S is connected to one of the line wires 47 by a wire 4S. A

battery 49 is then installed at any suitable position either inside or outside the mine and is connected with the wire 42 by a wire 50 and with a switch 51, located on thel surface of the ground, by a wire 52; the opposite side ot the switch being connected to the line wire 47 by a wire The wire 41 from the binding post 8 is connected by a wire 54 to a Yfuse 55 which is, in turn, connected to the line wire 47 by a wire 5G.

In connecting a series ot the devices together, the opposite free end of the wire 3S ot' one device is connected to the tree end ot the same wire o'l another device, as indicated at 57 in dotted lines, or the :tree end of the wire 38 of the second device may be connected directly to the line wire 47 by a wire 5S. The wire 43 of the first device is connected with the wire 42 ot the second device by a wire 59 and the fuse connected between the wire 41 and line wire 47 as before.

In using the device, the miner charges and tamps the drill holes in the earth and connects the fuse with the wires 54 and 56. It he has drilled more. than one hole, for example three, he can connect them in series so as to shoot them all at once, or by using delay action iuses the explosions will take place at intervals of from tive to ten seconds. IIe then lifts the handle 36, so that the latch lever lifts the armature 25 and engages the stop 35 to held it in elevated position. This action releases the plunger 12 and permits the collar 13 to contact with the angle piece 1G to complete a circuit.theretln'ouglm Having thus made his connections he leaves the mine and the operator on the surface closes the switch 51, so that a current lows from the battery 49 through wire 50, wire 42, b inding post 9, plunger 12, angle piece 16, binding post 8, wire 41, wire 54, fuse 55, wire 5G, line wire 47, wire 53, switch 51 and wire 52 to the battery 1, thereby igniting the fuse. Simultaneously with this action a' current flows from the battery 49 through wire 50, wire 42, binding post 9, plunger 12,

angle piece 16, binding post 8, wire 40, elec-g tro-magnet 2l, wire 39 wire 38, wire 4S, line wire 47, wire 53, switch 51 and wire 52 to the battery 49, thereby exciting the electromagnet 21 and' raising the armature 25 sutlicien'tly to release the latch lever 33, so that when the switch 51 is again opened, the armature falls against the plunger 12 and presses the collar 13 against the angle piece 18. It a number ot the shooting devices are connected so as to ignite the blasts in dillerent rooms of the mine, the switch 51 is closed and again opened to shoot the charges connected to the iirst device as ust described. @n closing the switch a second time the blasts connected to the second device are ignited and the circuits in this case are as tol* lows: A. current llows from bat'ery 49 through the wire 50, wire 42, binding post i), plunger 12, angle piece 1S, binding 10, wire 43, wire 59, wire binding post 9, plunger 12, angle piece 1(3, binding post 8', wire 41, wire 54', fuse 55, wire 5(3, line wire 47, wire 53, switch 51, and wire to the battery, thereby igniting the i'use 55. Simultaneously with this action a current passes 'from battery 49, through wire 50, wire 42, binding post 9, plunger 12, angle piece 1S, binding post 10, wire 43, wire 59, wire 42, binding post 12', angle piece 1G', binding post 8', wire 40, electro-magnet 21', wire 39, wire 58, line wire 47, wire 53, switch 51, and wire to the battery, thereby exciting the magnet 21 and releasing the latch 33, so that when the switch 51 is again opened the armature 25 falls and presses the collar 13 against the angle piece 1S to establish connection for the next shooting device.

It is apparent that the wires 3S and 38 may be connected by wire 57 in places where it is more convenient to do so, and the action will be the same as though wire 5S were connected to the line 47.

It is also apparent that any number ot shooting devices may be connected together and operated successively by opening and closing the switch 51.

It a miner has not prepared any blasts, it is not necessary to raise the handle 3G, but whether he does or not the ellciency ot the system is not impaired, because it the handle is down, the current will pass through this device and operate the succeeding device as heretofore described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

l. The combination with a switch comprising relatively fixed and movable niembers, ot means for yieldingly retaining the movable member in operative position, a magnet having an armature arranged to move in the path of the movable switch member, and a latch for normally supporting the armature and adapted for automatic movement out of supporting position when the armature is moved in one direction.

2. The combination with a switch comprising relatively fixed and movable mempost bers, of means for yieldingly` retaining the movable member in operative position, a magnet having an armature arranged to move in the path of the movable switch member, a latch for normally supporting the armature and adapted for automatic movement out of Supporting position when. the armature is moved in one direction, and circuit controlling means for effecting energi zation of the magnet to lift and release the armature when the magnet is energized and to drop the armature wnen the magnet is denergized.

3. The combination with a. magnet Comprising an armature, of a latch for supporting the armature and arranged for automatic movement ont of the path of the armature when the latter is lifted by the magnet, a switch comprising a fixed member and a plunger, the latter located in the path of the armature and adapted for engagement thereby when the latter is dropped, and means for normally retaining the plunger out of contact with the fixed switch memben 4. The combination with a magnet having an armature adapted for free gravitational movement, of a pivotally mounted latch ne"- mally engaging the armature to supp rt the same and adapted for automatic movement out of supporting position when the armature is lifted by the magnet, and a switch comprising a fixed member and a plunger, the latter independent of but arranged in the path of the armature and having a member for contact with the fixed switch, means for yieldingly supporting the plunger to retain the switch in open position, and means for controlling a circuit through the magnet.

5. The combination with spaced switch members, of a plunger mounted between said members and adapted for independent engagement with either member, means for yieldingly retaining the common switch member in contact with one of the spaced members, an armature, means for normally retaining the armature above the plunger and adapted for automatic withdrawal when relieved of the weight of the armature, and a magnet for attracting the armature te release the yielding means and for dropping the armature to actuate the plunger.

6. The combination with vertically spaced contact members each having a laterally directed portion, a plunger movably mounted between said laterally directed switch por tions, a collar on the plunger adapted for independent contact with the laterally directed portion of either of the switch members, yielding means for normally retaining the plunger in position with the collar in contact with one of said laterally directed portions, a magnet having a floating armature arranged to drop on the plunger, a latch arranged to normally support the armature and for automatic withdrawal when the armature is lifted, and a magnet for lifting and releasing the armature, for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination of a train of shot firing devices, each comprising a fuse, of a main-line electrical circuit, an electro-inagnet in each device having a normally open circuit branching from the main-line,- a latch for holding each magnet armature in elevated position, a primary contact in each device forming part of a circuit to the fuse and to the electro-magnet, a movable switch member for completing a circuit through the contact member and fuse, yielding means for normally retaining said movable member in engagement with said primary Contact, a secondary contact spaced from said first eon tact member and adapted for engagement by said movable switch member, electrical connection between the secondary Contact member and the movable switch member of a succeeding' device in the train, and a manual switch in each branch for closing the switch circuit whereby the fuse in the first firing device is ignited and the electro-magnet energized to lift the saine and release said latch and whereby the magnet is denergized to drop the armature and e'liiect closing of a circuit through 'the secondary Contact and complete a primary branch circuit in the succeeding device of the train.

8. The combination with a main line circuit, of a train of shot firing devices, each comprising an electro-magnet, means connecting one terminal of each of the magnets with the line circuit, first, second and third contact members for each device, the first and third members being stationary and the second member being movable, the first con-4 tact member of one device being connected with the second magnet terminal of a succeeding device, and with the line and the line connection including a fuse, means in each device for completing a circuit through the magnet, the first and second contact members and 'r'use to the line circuit and including a switch vand battery, means connecting the third contact member of the first device with one of the rst two contact members of the second device, yielding means for urging the second contact member toward the first contact member in each device, a suspended armature for each magnet, and a latch for holding each armature when the armature is lifted upon energization of the magnet, and whereby the armature is released to fall to engagement with the second contact member to shift said second member to engagement with the third contact member, when the magnet is denergiZed.

9. The combination with a line circuit, of a plurality of shot firing devices, each comprising first and third contact members and a plunger Contact, the latter adapted for separate engagement with the irst and third members, yielding means for removably holding the plunger contact in engagement with first contact member, an electro-magnet having a suspended armature adapted for striking the plunger contact when released to shift engagement of the plunger member from engagement with the irst to engagement with the third member, a latch for normally supporting the armature and adapted ior dropping automatically when the armature is raised, a branch connected with the line circuit and with one terminal ot each magnet, connection between the second terminal and the iirst contact member of each device, connection between the third contact member ot' one device and the plunger contact member of a succeeding device, and connections between the first and third contact member of each device and the line circuit, one including a 'l'use and the other a switch.

IO. The combination with a line circuit, oi a plurality of shot firing devices, each comprising first and third contact members and a plunger contact, the latter adapted for separate engagement with the irst and third members, yielding means for removably holding the plunger contact in engagement with the hrst contact member, an electromagnet having a suspended armature adapt- 1 ond terminal and the lirst contact member ot f each device, connection between the third contact member of one device and the plunger contact member of a succeeding device, and connections between the first and third contact members et each device and the line circuit, one including a fuse and the other a switch, and a battery in the switch connection.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ERICH SCI-IIE'IZEL. IVitnesses:

R. F. THOMAS, L. E. CoATs.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

